Every time, the "Experts
talking" column develops a different case. The author's
aim, as connoisseur and authority about the matter, is to
help you to understand the subject
by making these informations comprehensible and digestive.
Presently:watch professionals
II

Expert in communication and marketing, Pierre F. Brenzikofer
was for more than 25 yearsin charge of the Marketing-Services
of an important swiss watch group. He had a deep knowledge of watches
communication. He was very active in professional basic and further
training, and invested a lot of energy in the management of training
centers and the setting up of modern didactic instruments.

8.
WATCH PROFESSIONALS II

Second part

The first part of this presentation
showed shortly the content of the training of the following professions
connected with the watch industry :
- Practitioner watchmaker
- Microelectronic watchmaker
- Service watchmaker
- Stamp mechanic
- Micromechanic
- Case makerWe will now continue with the
presentation of other watch and jewellery professions based on the
swiss federal law on professional training.
If you missed the first part, please get in touch with the following
adress : watch professionals
I.

Watch cases assembler (training
time : 3 years)
This specialist is responsible for the polish and the mechanical
treatments of the surface of the watch cases. He has to master the
handling and the service of the needed tools. In fact, he carries
out all the aesthetic operations giving the final aspect to the
watch cases. He has to know the handling of mechanical tools and
usual machines and the processing operations on CNC technology tools.
This profession is specific for the Jura regions (western part of
Switzerland) where most of the case factories are located.

Drawer in microtechnics (4 years)
The drawer in microtechnics realises macro-drafts of miniature components
for the production (spare part of a watch movement or of any other
micromechanism) based on projects or existing products. At the same
time he draws assembling drafts of the mechanism and prepares the
list of the needed material for the production. Intermediate between
the engineer and the production centres, he is creating the drawings
on a DAO screen (drawing assisted by computer) and transfers them
on a running table or a printer. For this purpose he has to have
a good knowledge of the production processes and machines.

Jewel-setter (4 years)
This craftsman is working for the jewellery and the high class watch
segment. He is setting jewels (precious, semi-precious or artificial)
as well as pearls on watch products, pieces of jewellery and other
luxury products. The jewel setter gives to
the jewel all its dimension and the beauty of the finished product.
For his work he needs gravers, files, chisels, tweezers, magnifying
glasses, oil-stones for the sharpening of the tools and a milling-cutter
motor.

Engraver (4 years)
These specialists realise on a small scale decorations, inscribings,
marks on jewels, watches, etc. They carry out works into relief
or hollow, by hand or with machines, chemically or through other
processes on metals as steel, brass, copper, tin, gold or silver.
The engravers are working at the bench, independently in an engraving
workshop or sometimes in big companies.

Jeweller (4 years)
They are craftsmen who conceive and produce pieces in precious metal
for ornament. Jewellers give the jewels, the high level watch cases
their shape and their polish according to the material.
Some jewellers specialise themselves and work together with other
specialists : designers, case-jewellers, engravers, chase specialists,
etc. They are working at the bench under artificial light. They
are either independent or working for big companies.

You can of course find other professions linked
directly or undirectly to the watch industry, for instance automatic
setters setting and supervising automatic lathes producing parts
for the watch movements, electroplating specialists , mechanics,
electricians, processing specialists and programmers.

With
a federal certificate of capacity or a professional maturity,
the students can continue their studies in technical high schools
and after in the universities or in polytechnic high schools.
Finally it can be interesting to mention that the watch industry
appeals to other numerous specialists : microtechnic and electronic
engineers, chemists, physicians, metallurgists, etc.